The House of Representatives has threatened to issue arrest warrants against chief executives of telecommunications companies who fail to appear before its committee investigating persistent network failures across the country.
The lawmakers have directed the operators to appear in person on November 4, 2026, to explain the continued poor quality of services affecting millions of subscribers.
The threat followed the rejection of a proposal by the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria to represent the companies through its chairman, Gbenga Adebayo.
The ad hoc committee, chaired by Olumide Osoba, an All Progressives Congress lawmaker representing Ogun State, insisted that the chief executives and senior management officials must personally answer questions about their respective companies’ performance.
The operators summoned include MTN Nigeria, Airtel Nigeria, Globacom, Mafab Communications and other licensed telecommunications providers.
The investigation was prompted by widespread complaints about dropped calls, slow internet connections, failed airtime and data transactions, as well as inadequate network coverage in several communities.
Moving a motion on the matter, Sunday Umeha argued that each telecommunications company operated under an individual licence issued by the Federal Government and could not use its membership of an industry association to evade legislative scrutiny.
He also faulted a letter reportedly sent by ALTON questioning the committee’s authority to compel the operators to attend the hearing.
Umeha maintained that the National Assembly had the constitutional authority to summon individuals and organisations to provide explanations on matters within its legislative responsibilities.
Citing Section 88 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, he said the committee was empowered to investigate the implementation of government policies and other issues within the legislature’s mandate.
He insisted that the companies must appear individually unless the committee expressly approved any form of representation.
“I was shocked with what I saw in the letter. I saw a situation where ALTON is saying that they are not bound to appear before this committee,” Umeha said.
He added that the operators appeared to regard their attendance as a privilege rather than a statutory obligation, stressing that lawmakers had the power to compel their appearance in accordance with the Constitution.
A representative of the Nigerian Communications Commission informed the committee that invitations had been communicated directly to the chief executives.
Umeha disclosed that the committee had considered seeking arrest warrants at its previous sitting but decided to grant the operators another opportunity to appear.
Seconding the motion, the House spokesman, Akin Rotimi, also opposed ALTON’s attempt to represent the companies, arguing that subscribers dealt directly with individual service providers and deserved explanations from the firms responsible for their services.
Rotimi expressed concern over poor network coverage in parts of his constituency in Ekiti State, warning that the absence of mobile signals in some communities and along major roads could expose residents and travellers to security risks.
He alleged that two traditional rulers in his constituency had been killed in an ambush along a road where mobile network services were unavailable for about 20 minutes.
According to him, such communication gaps could prevent victims and witnesses from contacting security agencies or seeking emergency assistance during dangerous situations.
The lawmaker also accused operators of concentrating infrastructure in commercially attractive areas while neglecting rural communities and other underserved locations.
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The committee further questioned Adebayo about a reported N8.46bn fine imposed on Globacom, raising concerns about whether the ALTON chairman could adequately address issues involving an individual operator while representing the industry association.
Following deliberations, the committee adopted Umeha’s motion through a voice vote and adjourned its sitting until November 4, when the telecommunications executives are expected to appear.
The investigation comes amid continuing complaints about network quality despite regulatory interventions and measures introduced to compensate affected subscribers.
The Nigerian Communications Commission disclosed on October 20 that telecommunications operators had compensated 75 million subscribers for poor service in 2026 under its consumer compensation framework.
Nearly three million other subscribers had reportedly received refunds for failed airtime and data purchases.
The commission also reported more than 6,500 network interventions during the year, including equipment upgrades and capacity expansion in areas experiencing increased demand.
However, subscribers have continued to complain about unreliable connections, billing disputes, rapid data depletion and failed transactions.
Figures attributed to the NCC for the first half of 2026 showed that the four major operators recorded 413,587 consumer complaints, with 406,938 reportedly resolved.
The breakdown listed 228,992 complaints against Airtel Nigeria, 124,405 against MTN Nigeria, 56,810 against Globacom and 3,885 against T2mobile.
However, the individual figures total 414,092, exceeding the reported overall figure by 505 complaints.
The figures highlight the scale of consumer dissatisfaction, although the discrepancy requires clarification.
Beyond disruptions to calls and internet browsing, poor telecommunications services can affect businesses, electronic payments and access to essential information. In areas with security challenges, unreliable coverage can also delay emergency responses and hinder communication with security agencies.
The committee is seeking direct explanations from the operators’ leadership on the causes of recurring service failures, compliance with regulatory requirements and plans to improve network quality.
The November 4 hearing is expected to provide lawmakers with an opportunity to question the companies on infrastructure investment, service delivery and efforts to extend reliable coverage to underserved communities.
The operators risk arrest warrants if their chief executives fail to honour the committee’s summons.